Warming shelters to open across West Tennessee

UPDATE FROM THE CITY OF JACKSON:

The City of Jackson will extend emergency services to provide a Temporary Warming Center for homeless men, women and children for freezing weather days. Beginning Wednesday, January 17, 2024 through the remainder of the week, the following plan has been devised to provide a temporary warming center for homeless men, women and children seeking aid.

Temporary Warming Center Location for Homeless Men

• T.R. White Sportsplex (304 N. Hays Ave., Jackson, TN)

• The Room in the Inn program will take place at the T.R. White Sportsplex
• The T.R. White Sportsplex will be closed to the public during this time.

Temporary Warming Center Location for Homeless Women and Children

• First United Methodist Church Mission Center (200 S. Church St. Jackson, TN)

Supplies

Emergency Management Agency (EMA) and the Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department will provide cots and blankets, with an estimated maximum capacity of 40 for T. R. White Sportsplex and 30 for FUMC Mission Center. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks will be provided by RIFA with coordinated efforts with Area Relief Ministries (ARM), FUMC and other area churches.

Material and Monetary Donations

The community is encouraged to donate the following items.

• Nonperishable food items can be dropped off at RIFA (133 Airways Blvd. Jackson, TN)
• Toiletries, t-shirts, sweat pants, socks, and coats can be dropped off at the respective facilities (men’s items at T.R. White Sportsplex and women’s items at FUMC Mission Center)
• Monetary donations will be accepted at Hope and Healing Foundation for this and future emergency response needs. Contact Vicki Lake.  

Animals

Service animals are permitted to accompany those who seek shelter.

A special thank you to our partners Area Relief Ministries, First United Methodist Church, Jackson-Madison County Regional Health Department, Jackson Police Department, Jackson Recreation and Parks Department, RIFA, Madison County Sherriff’s Office, Tennessee Homeless Solutions, West Tennessee COC, and West Tennessee Healthcare.

Click here for a list of more warming centers across the state.

MILAN, Tenn. — The Milan Police Department shares that a warming center will be offered amid upcoming cold temperatures.

According to Milan Police, the FEMA building will be open to the public from 6 p.m. Sunday until 12 p.m. on Wednesday for anyone needing to seek shelter from the cold.

The FEMA building is located at 1101 Williamson Street in Milan.

The City of Jackson also announced plans to provide an emergency shelter: click here.

Additionally, a warming center will be offered in Lexington/Henderson County: click here.

Lexington has updated the hours for its warming shelter and it will now be open from 10 am Sunday, January 14 until 9 am on Thursday, January 18.

Authorities will revaluate the weather and change those hours as needed.

Warming center info for the Hardin County/Savannah area has been shared: click here.

City of Martin shared info and volunteer opportunities for a warming shelter: click here.

There will also be a warming center provided in Paris/Henry County: click here.

City of McKenzie says the Farmers Market will be opened as a warming shelter from 6 p.m. on Sunday until 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Henry County will also offer a community warming shelter. Henry Co. Emergency Management will be coordinating the opening at Inman Middle School Tornado Shelter. It will open Friday, January 12, at 5:30 pm. The shelter is located at 400 Harrison Street in Paris.  The shelter will be monitored by Paris Police and Henry Co. Sheriffs Dept. to ensure safety. A cot and blankets will be provided, however animals are not allowed. Meals will be provided by First United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church, and Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The shelter will remain open until Wednesday, January 17 and reevaluated as weather conditions progress. For more information contact Paris Police Department at (731) 642-2424 or Henry Co. Emergency Management at (731) 644-2678.

If you know of a warming center opening in West Tennessee due to the potential winter weather, email details to news@wbbjtv.com .

Click here for a list of resources we provide to keep you weather aware.